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    The King of Dragons

    Topic: Software

     From Handwiki - Reading time: 8 min
    Short description: 1991 video game
    The King of Dragons
    Arcade flyer
    Developer(s)Capcom
    Publisher(s)Capcom
    Director(s)Tomoshi Sadamoto
    Composer(s)Yoko Shimomura
    Platform(s)Arcade, Super NES
    ReleaseArcade
    • JP: July 1991
    • NA: September 1991
    Super NES
    • JP: March 4, 1994
    • NA: April 1994
    Genre(s)Beat 'em up, action role-playing
    Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
    Arcade systemCP System

    Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value). is a 1991 beat 'em up game developed and published by Capcom for arcades. It follows players as they control characters through the kingdom of Malus to defeat monsters led by the dragon Gildiss. It features a level advancement system, allowing character attributes to be upgraded as players progress through the game. The game's music was composed by Yoko Shimomura.

    The King of Dragons was ported to the Super NES in 1994. An emulated version of the game has been released in multiple Capcom compilations.

    Gameplay

    A wizard fighting the Orc King boss in the first level of the game.

    The game has 16 levels, though many are short. The King of Dragons features a role-playing video game-like level advancement system. Points scored for killing monsters and picking up gold count towards experience, and the character gains levels at regular intervals. With each level, the character's health bar increases, other attributes such as range improve, and the character also becomes invulnerable for a few seconds. Along the way, different weapon and armor upgrades for each character may also be picked up.

    The King of Dragons features a simple control system that consists of a single attack button, and a jump button. By pressing both buttons, the character unleashes a magical attack that strikes all enemies in screen (its strength varies according to the character used) at the expense of losing energy. The fighter, cleric and dwarf can also use their shield to block certain attacks by tilting the joystick back right before the impact.

    This is one of the many Capcom games to feature the yashichi power-up item (a "boost power-up" icon resembling a shuriken). There are three such power-ups hidden throughout the game, each giving the player an extra continue.

    The five playable heroes each have their own traits and fighting skills in the game.[1] The Fighter is good with melee attacks and defense but lacks magical ability. The Dwarf is able to dodge and block attacks, is the most agile character that has decent melee attacks albeit the shortest range and little magic ability. The Elf has good agility and great range with archery but is not physically strong. The Cleric has great defense, decent magic (with the ability to heal his comrades) and melee attacks but bad agility. The Wizard has poor defense but good magical attacks and quick melee attacks.

    Ports

    A port to the Super NES was published in 1994. It reduces the number of simultaneous players down to two and the characters are smaller. It is also possible to assign the magic attack and shield defense to different buttons.[2]

    The arcade version is part of Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 2, released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in November 2006, and Capcom Classics Collection: Reloaded for the PlayStation Portable. It is also part of two compilations for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows: Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle (2018) and Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium (2022).

    Reception

    Reception
    Review scores
    PublicationScore
    CVG(SNES) 77/100[3]
    Game Informer(SNES) 5/10[4]
    Hyper(SNES) 30/100[6]
    ONM(SNES) 64/100[7]
    Total!(SNES) 60%[9]
    (SNES) 3-[10]
    Electronic Games(SNES) C+[12]
    Game Zone(ARC) 4/5[13]
    Super Gamer(SNES) 53/100[14]
    VideoGames(SNES) 5/10[15]
    Awards
    PublicationAward
    Gamest (1991)(ARC) Best Action Award 2nd, Best Production Award 9th, Best Graphic Award 8th, Annual Hit Game 19th[16]
    Micom BASIC Magazine (1991)(ARC) Overall Grand Prize 5th, Player Division 6th, Best Action 3rd, Game Center Department 9th[17]

    In Japan, Game Machine listed The King of Dragons on their October 1, 1991 issue as being the most-popular arcade game for the previous two weeks.[18] The Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine ranked the game twenty-fifth in popularity in its November 1991 issue.[19] Game Zone's David Wilson thought the fantasy world setting of each level was neat, while Zero's Doris Stokes called it a "a good, nicely addictive" beam 'em up game.[13][11] In 2023, Time Extension listed it as one of the beat 'em ups of all time.[20]

    Gamest gave The King of Dragons multiple awards at the fifth annual "Gamest Awards", placing 2nd in the "Best Action Award", 9th in the "Best Production Award", 8th in the "Best Graphics Award", and 19th in the "Annual Hit Game".[16] Micom BASIC Magazine also gave the game several awards at the 1991 "Video Game Grand Prize", placing 5th in "Overall Grand Prize", 6th in "Player Division", 3rd in "Best Action", and 9th in "Game Center Department".[17]

    Super NES

    According to Famitsu, The King of Dragons sold 8,979 copies in its first week on the market and 11,544 copies during its lifetime in Japan.[21] The game received a 21.6/30 score in a readers' poll conducted by Super Famicom Magazine.[22] The Super NES version garnered mixed reception from critics.[23][24][25][26]

    Notes

    References

    1. ↑ Lee, Onn (June 1994). "Reviews: King of Dragons and Knights of the Round (Machine: Super Famicom)". Games Amusement Pleasure (1): 36–37. https://archive.org/details/1994-06-games-amusement-pleasure-01/page/36/mode/2up. 
    2. ↑ "King of Dragons, The – Hardcore Gaming 101" (in en-US). http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/king-of-dragons-the/. "The game was ported to the SNES, and other than the graphical downgrades and changing from three simultaneous players to two." 
    3. ↑ Ahmet, Deniz (June 1994). "Review - The King of the Dragons: SNES". Computer and Video Games (EMAP) (151): 66. https://archive.org/details/computer-and-video-games-magazine/Computer%20and%20Video%20Games%20151/page/n65/mode/1up. 
    4. ↑ "Super NES At a Glance: King of Dragons". Game Informer (Sunrise Publications) (16): 29. May–June 1994. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-16-may-june-1994/page/n30/mode/1up. 
    5. ↑ Foster, Mike (April 1994). "Review: King of Dragons (SNES)". Game Players (GP Publications) 7 (4): 68. https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePlayers_US_0704.pdf&page=70. 
    6. ↑ Mansill, Ben (July 1995). "Review: King of Dragons (SNES)". Hyper (nextmedia) (20): 66. https://archive.org/details/hyper-020/page/66/mode/1up. 
    7. ↑ Harrod, Gary; Davies, Paul (June 1994). "Review (Super Nintendo Entertainment System): The King of Dragons". Nintendo Magazine System (EMAP) (21): 90–91. https://archive.org/details/nms-21/page/90/mode/2up. 
    8. ↑ Webb, Trenton (June 1994). "Import Review: King of Dragons". Super Play (Future Publishing) (20): 56–57. 
    9. ↑ O'Connor, Frank (June 1994). "SNES Reviews: King of Dragons". Total! (United Kingdom: Future Publishing) (30): 48. https://archive.org/details/total-30/page/n47/mode/1up. 
    10. ↑ Anton, Michael (June 1994). "Import Corner: King of Dragons (SNES)" (in de). Total! (Germany: MVL Verlag) (13): 57. 
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Stokes, Doris (December 1991). "Dosh Eaters: King of Dragons". Zero (Dennis Publishing) (26): 91. https://archive.org/details/zero-magazine-26/page/n90/mode/1up. 
    12. ↑ Hardin, John Wesley (June 1994). "Cartridge: The King of Dragons (System: SNES)". Electronic Games (Decker Publications) 2 (9): 67. https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-06/page/n66/mode/1up. 
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Wilson, David (December 1991). "Kill Zone: King of Dragons". Game Zone (Dennis Publishing) (2): 75. https://archive.org/details/game-zone-02/page/75/mode/1up. 
    14. ↑ Butt, Ryan; McDermott, Andy; Pullin, Keith (July 1994). "Super NES Review: King of Dragons". Super Gamer (Paragon Publishing) (4): 62–63. https://archive.org/details/super-gamer-04/page/n61/mode/2up. 
    15. ↑ Nakamura, Eric (May 1994). "Reviews: King of Dragons (SNES)". VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine (Larry Flynt Publications) (64): 66. https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_64_May_1994/page/n67/mode/1up. 
    16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "輝け! 第5回 読者が選ぶ ゲーメスト大賞 1991" (in ja). Gamest (Shinseisha) (68): 3–26. February 1992. https://archive.org/details/gamest0068/page/n4/mode/1up. 
      "ザ・ベストゲーム2 アーケードビデオゲーム26年の歴史: ゲーメスト大賞11年史" (in ja). Gamest Mook. 5 (4th ed.). Shinseisha. January 17, 1998. pp. 1–26. ISBN 9784881994290. https://archive.org/details/vol.-112-2/page/n17/mode/2up. 
    17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Yamashita, Nobuyuki (April 1992). "発表！ビデオゲーム・グランプリ" (in ja). Micom BASIC Magazine (ja) (The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation (ja)) (118): 284–289. https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1992-04/page/n283/mode/1up. 
    18. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)" (in ja). Game Machine (ja) (Amusement Press, Inc. (ja)) (412): 31. October 1, 1991. https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19911001p.pdf. Retrieved 2025-07-10. 
    19. ↑ "Super Soft Hot Information: Video Game!" (in ja). Micom BASIC Magazine (ja) (The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation (ja)) (113): 258–260. November 1991. https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1991-11/page/n251/mode/1up. 
    20. ↑ Banks, George (February 14, 2023). "Best Beat 'Em Ups Of All Time". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-beat-em-ups-of-all-time. 
    21. ↑ "Game Search". https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search. 
    22. ↑ "超絶 大技林 '98年春版" (in ja). PlayStation Magazine (Japan) (ja) (Special). 42. Tokuma Shoten Intermedia. April 15, 1998. p. 215. 
    23. ↑ "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ザ・キングオブドラゴンズ (スーパーファミコンカートリッジ)" (in ja). Famitsu (ASCII Corporation) (273). March 11, 1994. 
    24. ↑ Semrad, Ed; Carpenter, Danyon; Manuel, Al; Williams, Ken (April 1994). "Review Crew: King of Dragons (Super NES / Capcom)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Sendai Publishing) (57): 38. https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_57/page/n37/mode/1up. 
    25. ↑ Earth Angel (May 1994). "ProReview - Super NES: King of Dragons". GamePro (IDG) (58): 70. https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_058_May_1994/page/n71/mode/1up. 
    26. ↑ "Now Playing: King of Dragons (Super NES)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 60: 104, 107. May 1994. 
    • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

    Features

    Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

    Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

    History

    Logo used until March 2014

    MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

    In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

    On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

    In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

    See also

    • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
    2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
    3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
    4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
    6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
    7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
    8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
    9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
    10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
    11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
    12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
    13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
    14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
    15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
    16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
    17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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